Punjab achieves 30pc cotton cultivation so far

LAHORE: The Punjab province has so far achieved cotton cultivation on 30 percent of the area targeted this year. The Punjab government has set a target to cultivate cotton over 3. 2 million acres during the current season. Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, disclosed this on Sunday while chairing a high-level review meeting in Multan to assess the ongoing cotton sowing campaign across the province, with officials reporting that around 30pc of the targeted area has been cultivated so far. The Secretary directed field formations and agricultural experts to intensify farmer outreach, focusing on the adoption of modern production techniques to improve per-acre yield. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Vice Chancellor of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan Prof. Dr. Asif Ali, Special Secretary Agriculture (South Punjab) Sarfraz Hussain Magsi, Additional Secretary Task Force Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Director Generals Abdul Hameed, Naveed Asmat Kahloon, Dr. Sajid-ur-Rehman and Dr. Aamir Rasool, along with divisional directors from Bahawalpur, Multan, DG Khan, Sahiwal and Faisalabad. Deputy Directors joined via Zoom, while Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Mehmood Khokhar and cotton expert Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Bandesha also participated. The Secretary Agriculture emphasized that the government is ensuring timely and adequate canal water supply in cotton-growing regions to support optimal crop development. The secretary also issued strict instructions for enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against the adulteration of fertilizers and pesticides, warning that negligence in this regard would not be tolerated. Following the meeting, Sahoo, along with Major General Shahid Nazir (retd), visited the Model Agri Mall in Multan. He directed authorities to introduce more attractive packages at such facilities to improve farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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